Top 10 Foods Highest in Copper
Copper is an essential trace mineral required by the body for energy production, absorption of iron, bone and connective tissue production, immune system function, synthesis of some hormones and red blood cell formation. (1) It also forms part of one of the body’s key antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD).
A deficiency in copper can lead to weak bones, joint pain, vitamin b12 deficiency, iron deficiency, and anemia. (2)
Conversely, over-consumption of copper will lead to cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting in the short term, and can have neurological (mental) effects in the long term. (3)
High copper foods include seafood, mushrooms, tofu, sweet potatoes, sesame seeds, cashews, chickpeas, salmon, dark chocolate, and avocados. (4) The current daily value (% DV) for copper is 0.9mg. (5)
Below is a list of high copper foods, for more, see the extended list of copper rich foods, high copper vegetables, and high copper fruits.
List of High Copper Foods
#1: Oysters
| Copper per 6 Oysters | Copper per 100g | Copper per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8mg (419% DV) | 4.4mg (493% DV) | 11.2mg (1249% DV) |
More Shellfish High in Copper
- 176% DV in 1 leg of Alaskan King crab
- 146% DV in 3oz of lobster
- 145% DV in 20 small clams
See all fish high in copper.
#2: Shiitake Mushrooms
| Copper per Cup Cooked | Copper per 100g | Copper per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1.3mg (144% DV) | 0.9mg (100% DV) | 3.2mg (356% DV) |
More Mushrooms High in Copper
- 87% DV in 1 cup of white button mushrooms
- 52% DV in 1 cup of portobellos
- 48% DV in 1 cup of cremini mushrooms
See the list of high copper vegetables.
#3: Firm Tofu
| Copper per Cup | Copper per 100g | Copper per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1mg (106% DV) | 0.4mg (42% DV) | 0.5mg (58% DV) |
More Soy Foods High in Copper
- 78% DV in 1 cup of boiled soybeans
- 53% DV in 1 cup of medium firm tofu
- 44% DV in a 16oz glass of soy milk
See all beans and legumes high in copper.
#4: Sweet Potatoes
| Copper per Cup Mashed | Copper per 100g | Copper per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 0.7mg (79% DV) | 0.3mg (31% DV) | 0.6mg (61% DV) |
More Vegetables High in Copper
- 40% DV in 1 cup of cooked turnip greens
- 37% DV in a baked potato
- 35% DV in 1 cup of cooked spinach
See the list of high copper vegetables.
#5: Sesame Seeds
| Copper per Oz | Copper per 100g | Copper per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 0.7mg (78% DV) | 2.5mg (274% DV) | 0.9mg (97% DV) |
More Seeds High in Copper
- 58% DV per oz of sunflower seeds
- 50% DV per oz of hemp seeds
- 42% DV per oz of dried pumpkin and squash seeds
See all nuts and seeds high in copper.
#6: Cashews (Dry Roasted)
| Copper per 1 Oz Handful | Copper per 100g | Copper per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 0.6mg (70% DV) | 2.2mg (247% DV) | 0.8mg (86% DV) |
More Nuts High in Copper
- 55% DV per oz of Brazil nuts
- 50% DV per oz of walnuts
- 41% DV per oz of pistachios
See all nuts and seeds high in copper.
#7: Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
| Copper per Cup | Copper per 100g | Copper per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 0.6mg (64% DV) | 0.4mg (39% DV) | 0.4mg (48% DV) |
More Beans High in Copper
- 61% DV per cup of navy beans
- 55% DV per cup of lentils
- 52% DV per cup of kidney beans
See all beans and legumes high in copper.
#8: Salmon
| Copper per 6oz Fillet | Copper per 100g | Copper per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5mg (61% DV) | 0.3mg (36% DV) | 0.4mg (39% DV) |
More Fish High in Copper
- 31% DV per cup of sardines
- 24% DV in 3oz of shrimp
- 21% DV in a 6oz tuna steak
See all fish high in copper.
#9: Dark Chocolate (70-85% Cocoa)
| Copper per 1oz Square | Copper per 100g | Copper per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5mg (56% DV) | 1.8mg (196% DV) | 0.6mg (66% DV) |
#10: Avocados
| Copper per Avocado | Copper per 100g | Copper per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 0.4mg (42% DV) | 0.2mg (21% DV) | 0.2mg (26% DV) |
More Fruits High in Copper
- 42% DV in 1 cup of guava
- 26% DV in 1 cup of kiwifruit
- 20% DV in 1 cup of chopped pineapple
See the list of high copper fruits.
See All 200 Foods High in Copper
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More Copper Rich Foods
| Food | Serving | Copper |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Tempeh | per cup | 103% DV (0.9mg) |
| #2 Coconut Milk | per cup | 56% DV (0.5mg) |
| #3 Durian | per cup chopped | 56% DV (0.5mg) |
| #4 Mamey Sapote | 1 cup chopped | 41% DV (0.4mg) |
| #5 Kamut (Khorasan - Wheat) | per cup | 40% DV (0.4mg) |
| #6 Quinoa | per cup | 39% DV (0.4mg) |
| #7 Buckwheat | per cup | 27% DV (0.2mg) |
| #8 Radicchio | per cup | 15% DV (0.1mg) |
| #9 Medjool Dates | per date | 10% DV (0.1mg) |
| #10 Kale | per cup fresh | 1% DV (0mg) |
About the Data
Data for the curated food lists comes from the USDA Food Data Central Repository.
You can check our data against the USDA by clicking the (Source) link at the bottom of each food listing.
Note: When checking data please be sure the serving sizes are the same. In the rare case you find any difference, please contact us and we will fix it right away.
From the Nutrient Ranking Tool
- Foods High in Copper
- Foods Low in Copper
- Vegetables High in Copper
- Fruits High in Copper
- Vegetarian Foods High in Copper
- Nuts High in Copper
- Grains High in Copper
- Beans High in Copper
- Dairy High in Copper
- Breakfast Cereals High in Copper
- Fast Foods High in Copper
View more food groups with the nutrient ranking tool, or see ratios with the nutrient ratio tool.
Related
Data Sources and References
- Medline Plus on Copper
- Copper deficiency, a new triad: anemia, leucopenia, and myeloneuropathy. J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2017 Oct; 7(4): 265–268.
- Health Effects of Excess Copper. National Research Council (US) Committee on Copper in Drinking Water. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2000.
- U.S. Agricultural Research Service Food Data Central
- NIH: Dietary Supplement Label Database
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